Mooring device

ABSTRACT

The present invention is generally directed towards mooring devices. Generally, the mooring device comprises a strap, having first and second ends, and a shock absorber, having first and second ends and unstretched and maximum stretched states, wherein the first end of the shock absorber is coupled to the strap at a location between the first and second ends of the strap, and the second of the shock absorber is coupled to the strap at a location between one of the first and second ends of the strap and the first end of the shock absorber, and further wherein the portion of the strap between the first and second ends of the shock absorber is longer than the shock absorber in the unstretched state.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention relates generally to accessories for water vessels, and more particularly to mooring devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A typical method for mooring a boat to a dock is to securely wrap one end of a rope around one of the boat's cleats and securely wrap the other end of the rope to one of the dock's cleats. However, this solution presents at least two problems.

First, the rope is generally a standard nylon rope, which possesses limited stretching capabilities. Thus, if the boat rocks and moves away from the dock, then the rope may become taut, and pressure may then be put on the hull of the boat, especially at the location of the tied cleat. This may cause undesirable stress fractures in the hull.

Second, the rope generally needs to be a significant length to securely wrap around the cleat of the boat, reach the cleat of the dock, and then securely wrap around cleat of the dock. Such a length may be cumbersome to use and to stow.

One known solution is to use mooring snubbers, which absorb some of the hull pressure when the boat rocks or drifts. However, these snubbers generally require a separate mooring rope and are complicated to use. Further, several of these snubbers are often required to moor a single vessel. Accordingly an improved mooring device would be desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The improved mooring device is intended for use with one or more water vehicles, crafts, or vessels. Generally, the mooring device, includes a strap, having first and second ends and a shock absorber coupled to the strap between the first and second ends of the strap.

In one embodiment, the one of the first and second ends of the strap may be coupled with a buckle, which is coupled to another strap, having an end formed into a loop.

In another embodiment, the shock absorber may be surrounded by a waterproof canvas.

Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to better appreciate how the above-recited and other advantages and objects of the present inventions are obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views. However, like parts do not always have like reference numerals. Moreover, all illustrations are intended to convey concepts, where relative sizes, shapes and other detailed attributes may be illustrated schematically rather than literally or precisely.

FIG. 1 is a top view of a boat in a dock.

FIG. 2 a is a side view of a mooring device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 b is an exploded view of the mooring device in FIG. 2 a.

FIG. 2 c is another exploded view of the mooring device in FIG. 2 a.

FIG. 2 d is an exploded view of a mooring device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 a is a side view of a mooring device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 b is an exploded view of a mooring device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a mooring device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of an improved mooring device will now be described.

Turning to FIG. 1, a top view of a boat 1 parked in a dock 5 is shown. The boat 1 has a plurality of cleats 7 along its perimeter, and the dock 5 has a plurality of cleats 8 as well. Typically, when mooring the boat 1, a rope (not shown) is used to tie one of the cleats 7 of the boat 1 to one of the cleats 8 of the dock 5. If the boat 1 rocks away from the dock 5, which may be caused by other boats passing by, and causes the rope to be taut, then a significant amount of stress may occur in the hull of the boat 1, particularly at or near the location of the tied cleat 7. This may undesirably cause stress fractures in the hull of the boat 1.

One approach to reducing the stress fractures is shown in FIG. 2 a, which is a side view of a mooring device 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The mooring device 10 includes a first strap 20, which may be a nylon webbed strap or lanyard, having first 22 and second 26 ends and a middle section 24. Alternatively, a rope may be used. The first end 22 is formed into a loop. The middle section 24 is coupled with a shock absorber assembly 40.

Turning to FIG. 2 b, an exploded view of the shock absorber assembly 40 is shown. The shock absorber assembly 40 includes shock absorber material 44, having first 32 and second 34 ends. The first end 32 of the shock absorber material 44 is attached to the first strap 20 at a location in between the first end 22 of the strap 20 and the middle section 24. Likewise, the second end 34 of the absorber material 44 is attached to the first strap 20 at a location in between the second end 26 of the strap 20 and the middle section 24. In one preferred embodiment, the shock absorber material 44 is comprised of one or more bungee chords. Alternatively, the shock absorber material 44 may be comprised of a vulcanized rubber, or any other type of sturdy, stretchable, and/or elastic material. The shock absorber assembly 40 may further include a canvas 42, which may be waterproof, surrounding or covering the shock absorber material 44. The canvas 42 may protect the shock absorber material 44 from exposure to the sun, water, or other elements that may cause the shock absorber material 44 to erode. In the case where water does enter into the canvas 42, the canvas may further include a resealable seep hole (not shown).

The shock absorber material 44 has unstretched and maximum stretched states. In an unstretched state, little or minimum pressure is applied to the material 44, and the material is at its minimum length between its first 32 and second 34 ends. In the maximum stretched state, a significant amount of pressure is applied to the material 44, causing the material 44 to stretch to its maximum length between its first 32 and second 34 ends. A middle portion 30 of the first strap 20, in between the first 32 and second 34 ends of the shock absorber assembly material 44 has a maximum length that is greater than the length of the material 44 in the unstretched state. In addition, the maximum length of the middle portion 30 of the first strap 20 is less than the length of the material 44 in its maximum stretched state. Alternatively, the maximum length of the middle portion 30 may be greater than or equal to the length of the material 44 in its maximum stretched state. If the maximum length of the middle portion 30 is less than the maximum length of the shock absorber material 44 in its maximum stretched state, then the middle portion 30 of the first strap may desirably limit the amount that the shock absorber material 44 can stretch. Thus, as can be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, if a significant amount of pressure is applied to the device 10, the strength of the strap 20 is still utilized.

Turning back to FIG. 2 a, the first strap 20 is coupled with a buckle 60, which may be a cinch buckle, toward the second end 26 of the strap 20. Other types of buckles may be used, such as clip-type buckles. Turning to FIG. 2 c, an exploded view of the buckle 60 is shown. The buckle 60 may comprise of a sturdy, durable material, such as a strong metal, plastic, or ceramic. The buckle 60, having first and second ends, includes a buckle frame 67, and a latch 68, which is held to the frame 67 by a spring 65. The second end 26 of the first strap 20 is slid between the latch 68 and the buckle frame 67 and is held in place by the latch 68 and the spring 65. To reduce the length of the strap 20 between the buckle 60 and the shock absorber assembly 40, and thus make the mooring device 10 taut, the second end 26 of the first strap 20 may be pulled. If pressure is applied in the direction of the first end 22 of the first strap 20, then the latch 68 and spring 65 locks the strap 20 in place. To increase the length of the first strap 20 between the buckle 60 and the shock absorber assembly 40, thus loosening the mooring device 10, the latch 68 may be pressed to release the first strap 20, and thus the strap 20 may be pulled in the direction of the first end 22 of the first strap 20 while the latch 68 is pressed open.

A second strap 70, having first and second ends, is coupled to the second end of the buckle 60. The first end of the second strap 70 is coupled to the second end of the buckle 60, and the second end of the second strap 70 is formed into a loop 72. To use the mooring device 10 to moor a water vessel, such as a boat 1, to a secure location, such as a dock 5, one of the loops, either the loop formed by the first end 22 of the first strap 20 or the loop 72 formed by the second strap 70 may be placed over one of the boat's 1 cleats 7. Then, the other loop may be placed over the cleat 8 of the dock 5. If there is insufficient length of the mooring device 10, then the device 10 length may be increased by releasing the latch 68 of the buckle 60 and pulling on the first strap 20 in the direction of the first end 22 of the first strap 20. Then, to make the device 10 and the vessel 1 secure and taut, pull on the second end 26 of the first strap 50. The buckle 60 is configured such that releasing the latch 68 is not necessary. If the device 10 becomes taut, and further pressure is added, such as if the boat 1 rocks further away from the dock 5, then the shock absorber assembly 40 will extend or stretch to relieve any pressure that would otherwise be applied to the boat's 1 hull.

Turning to FIG. 2 d, an alternative construction of the mooring device 10 in FIG. 2 a is shown. Instead of attaching the shock absorber assembly 40 to a single strap 20, two straps 80 and 90 are used. The first strap 80 has one end 82 formed into a loop and a second end 84 coupled to the first end 32 of the shock absorber assembly 40. The second strap 90 has one end 92 coupled to the second end 34 of the shock absorber assembly 40, and the second end (not shown) of the second strap 90 may be coupled with a buckle 60 (not shown). Another strap 70 (not shown), having a loop, would be attached to the second end of the buckle 60 (not shown). In this embodiment, either the canvas cover 42, or another piece of strap or rope (not shown) may limit the maximum stretch length of the shock absorber assembly 40.

Turning to FIG. 3 a, a side view of another mooring device 100 is shown. The mooring device 100 includes a first strap 127, having first and second ends. The first end is formed into a loop 128. A first buckle 125, which may be constructed similarly to the buckle 60 shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(d) or any other type of buckle, having first and second ends, a latch 123, and a spring 124, is coupled to the second end of the first strap 127 via the first end of the first buckle 125. The second end of the first buckle 125 is coupled to a second strap 120, having first 122 and second 126 ends and a middle section 128. The first end 122 of the second strap 120 is slid through the latch 123 of the first buckle 125 at the second end of the first buckle 125. At a particular location 132 between the first end 122 and the middle section 128 of the second strap 120, the first end of a shock absorber assembly 140, having first and second ends, constructed similarly to the shock absorber assembly shown in FIGS. 2(a)-(d) is coupled to the second strap 120. The second end of the assembly 140 is coupled to a particular location 134 in between the middle section 128 and the second end 126 of the second strap 120.

Turning to FIG. 3 b, which is an exploded view of the shock absorber assembly 140. The assembly 140 includes shock absorber material 144 surrounded by a waterproof canvas 142. The portion 133 of the strap 120 in between the ends of the assembly 140 is longer than the shock absorber material 144 in the unstretched state. Further, a portion of the strap 120 in between the ends of the assembly 140 is formed into a loop 146 protruding from the canvas 142 at a location near the middle of the assembly 140. The loop 146 may be coupled to a clip 147, which may comprise of a sturdy, durable material, such as metal, plastic, or ceramic. The second end 126 of the second strap 120 is slid through a latch 166 on the first end of a second buckle 160, having first and second ends, a latch 166, and a spring 164. The second end of the buckle 160 is coupled to the first end of a third strap 170, having first and second ends. The second end of the third strap 170 is formed into a loop 177.

To moor a water vessel such as a boat 1 to a location having two secure areas, such as a dock 5 and 6 on each side of the boat 1 using the mooring device 100, attach the clip 147 to a center cleat 7 on the bow of the boat 1. Alternatively, the clip 147 may be attached to a center cleat 7 on the stern of the boat 1 or on either side of the boat 1. Instead of a clip 147, a simple loop may also be used to attach to a cleat 7. Then, place one of the loop 128 formed by the first strap 127 or the loop 177 formed by the third strap 170 around a cleat 8 on one dock 5. Then, place the other of the loop 128 formed by the first strap 127 or the loop 177 formed by the third strap 170 around a cleat 8 on the other dock 6. To secure the mooring device 100, pull on either or both ends 122/126 of the second strap 120. If the boat 1 moves and causes the device 100 to become taut, then the shock absorber assembly 140 will relieve any additional pressure that would otherwise be place on the hull of the boat 1. To increase the length of the mooring device 100, press either latch, 123 or 166, and pull either side of the second strap 120 toward the middle of the strap 120. The mooring device 100 may also be used to moor a water vessel, such as a boat 1, to a location having two secure areas on one side of the boat 1, such as two separate cleats 8 on one dock 5 (second cleat on one dock not shown). The mooring device 100 may also be used to moor a water vessel, such as a boat, to one secure area, such as a single cleat 8 on one dock 5.

An alternative construction of the mooring device 200 is shown in FIG. 4. A first strap 210 is coupled to a first buckle 220, which is coupled to a second strap 230, having first 232 and second 237 ends. In the middle of the strap 230 is a loop 250, which may be coupled to a clip 260. In an area between the loop 250 and the first end 232, a first shock absorber assembly 240 is coupled to the strap 230, constructed and assembled similar to the assembly 40 shown in FIG. 2. In an area between the loop 250 and the second end 237 is a second shock absorber assembly 270 coupled to the strap 230, constructed and assembled similar to the assembly 40 shown in FIG. 2. Alternatively, a single canvas cover (not shown) may cover both assemblies 240 and 270, with the loop 250 protruding out of the single canvas cover (not shown). The second end 237 of the second strap 230 is coupled to a second buckle 280, which is coupled to a third strap 290.

The descriptions of the mooring devices above provide explanations for how to moor a boat. However, in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, the mooring devices may be used to moor any type of water vessel, water craft, or water vehicle, such as jet skis and wave runners.

In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the reader is to understand that the specific ordering and combination of process actions described herein is merely illustrative, and the invention can be performed using different or additional process actions, or a different combination or ordering of process actions. As a further example, each feature of one embodiment can be mixed and matched with other features shown in other embodiments. Additionally and obviously, features may be added or subtracted as desired. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. 

1. A mooring device, comprising: a strap, having first and second ends; and a shock absorber, having first and second ends and unstretched and maximum stretched states, wherein the first end of the shock absorber is coupled to the strap at a location between the first and second ends of the strap, and the second of the shock absorber is coupled to the strap at a location between one of the first and second ends of the strap and the first end of the shock absorber; and wherein the portion of the strap between the first and second ends of the shock absorber is longer than the shock absorber in the unstretched state.
 2. The mooring device of claim 1, wherein the strap comprises of a nylon web.
 3. The mooring device of claim 1, wherein one of the first and second ends of the strap is formed into a loop.
 4. The mooring device of claim 1, further comprising a canvas covering the shock absorber.
 5. The mooring device of claim 4, wherein the canvas is waterproof.
 6. The mooring device of claim 1, further comprising a buckle coupled to one of the first and second ends of the strap.
 7. The mooring device of claim 6, wherein the buckle is a cinch buckle.
 8. The mooring device of claim 7, wherein the cinch buckle is spring loaded.
 9. The mooring device of claim 1, wherein the shock absorber comprises a plurality of bungee chords.
 10. A mooring device, comprising: a strap, having first and second ends and a middle; a first shock absorber coupled to the strap at a location between the strap's first end and middle; and a second shock absorber coupled to the strap at a location between the strap's second end and middle.
 11. The mooring device in claim 10, further comprising a waterproof canvas that covers both shock absorbers.
 12. The mooring device of claim 10, wherein the strap comprises of a nylon web.
 13. The mooring device of claim 10, further comprising first and second buckles, wherein each buckle is coupled to one of the first and second ends of the strap.
 14. The mooring device of claim 13, wherein the buckle is a cinch buckle.
 15. The mooring device of claim 10, wherein the first and second shock absorbers comprise a plurality of bungee chords.
 16. The mooring device of claim 10, further comprising a clip coupled to the middle of the strap.
 17. The mooring device of claim 16, wherein the clip comprises of metal.
 18. A mooring device, comprising: a first lanyard, having first and second ends; and a shock absorber, having first and second ends and unstretched and maximum stretched states, wherein the first end of the shock absorber is coupled to the lanyard at a location between the first and second ends of the lanyard, and the second of the shock absorber is coupled to the lanyard at a location between one of the first and second ends of the lanyard and the first end of the shock absorber; a waterproof canvas surrounding the shock absorber; a cinch buckle coupled to the lanyard; and a second lanyard, having first and second ends, coupled to the cinch buckle, wherein one of the first and second ends of the second lanyard is formed into a first loop; wherein the portion of the lanyard between the first and second ends of the shock absorber is longer than the shock absorber in the unstretched state.
 19. The mooring device of claim 18, wherein the first lanyard includes a nylon web.
 20. The mooring device of claim 18, wherein one of the first and second ends of the first lanyard is formed into a second loop. 